Hazardous Loch Lochy forest ops force over-run

Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) is to extend its clearing operations at Loch Lochy until late June.

The move comes following delays from bad weather and worse than expected site conditions.

Alex Macleod, who is managing the A82 Project for FES said;

“Clearing the windblow from Loch Lochy has generally gone well but the weather has lost us a few days and we’re now encountering some tricky conditions on the last section of the site to be felled.

“In this section there are significant areas where trees have been blown down in previous year’s storms – worse areas than we’ve seen so far – and it is very unstable. We need to take it very slowly.

“We are also coming across a number of root-plates – exposed tree roots that are still packed with soil - that weigh several tonnes each and that have become completed detached from the slope.

“These will need to be secured in situ before we then reduce them in size and weight so that they can be fully removed from site. This can be very time consuming – often taking half a day to remove one root plate.

“We anticipate being able to finish the works by the last week in June.

“Once again, we appreciate the patience and understanding of local communities and road users and we will work with our partners, Transport Scotland, to minimise local disruption as far as possible.”

Traffic management measures for the Loch Lochy works will be removed on all public/bank holidays and during any major events.

Catch fence installation above the A82 at Primrose Bay near Alt Sigh is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the beginning of April.

Up to date information on traffic management measures will be available from Traffic Scotland as and when required.

Notes to editors

Forestry Commission Scotland is part of the Scottish Government's Environment and Forestry Directorate.

Forest Enterprise Scotland is an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland and manages the National Forest Estate on behalf of Scottish Ministers.